Affleck, Lee eye Smith’s new laffer

Pic to be last of New Jersey cycle

Ben Affleck and Jason Lee are in discussions to reunite with Kevin Smith for his next project, an untitled comedy that Smith’s View Askew production company will produce for Dimension Films.

Currently going under the moniker of “View Askew 5” (it’s Smith’s fifth production), pic is expected to be the last of Smith’s New Jersey cycle that features Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith). Shooting is expected to begin in January.

Film is also expected to feature Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson, actors best known for their roles as the leads in Smith’s 1994 feature debut “Clerks.”

Affleck and Lee first worked with Smith in “Mallrats” and teamed again as the leads in Smith’s “Chasing Amy.” Affleck also starred in Smith’s most recent helming effort, “Dogma,” with Lee taking a supporting role in that pic.

Affleck, who is repped by CAA, stars in the upcoming “Bounce” opposite Gwyneth Paltrow.

Lee, who is repped by UTA and manager Gay Ribisi of Ribisi Entertainment, is currently starring in Cameron Crowe’s pic “Almost Famous.” He is currently shooting Barry Sonnenfeld’s “Big Trouble.”